Rosianna

How is everyone doing???

Doing well thank you. I'm down 50 lbs since being banded on August 12th. I've had one fill (December) and have definitely noticed the difference in what I'm able to eat. No more apples with skin, no more bread, very little rice, and chicken remains a challenge. I've had my ups and downs though. I have eaten more than I should occassionally, both in terms of amount of food and type of food. For the most part though I don't eat anywhere near what I used to and many foods are treats of the past such as donuts, soda, and fried foods. My hair has been falling out a lot but I'm hoping my body's nutrition needs will even out eventually and the loss will stop. I need to hit the gym more consistently because I feel like it's the key to moving forward. Still feeling very positive bout my choice to be banded. How are you and everyone else doing?

I felt crappy for almost a week. I only walked from bedroom upstairs to bedroom downstairs. Took prescribed pain meds every 4 hours for the first few days. Slept a ridiculous amount of time. Took chewable Gas Ex frequently. By second week I was sooooo much beter. Went back to work, drove my car, went shopping, out to functions etc. Everyone's different. I just needed to be a slug for the first week and let my body recoup.

I weigh myself every single morning as well, in the buff right after shower. I'm 4 months post op and am down 46 pounds. My weight fluctuates every couple of days by a pound or so. Due to Fluid intake, sodium consumption, etc. For sure, the weight melts off for the first 8 weeks but then I hit a plateau for like 3 weeks before weight started coming off again. No matter to me though, any weight off is still a huge success to me.

I had my first fill last week and my doctor told me liquids for the first 24 hours and then resume regular eating as long as it's tolerated. Said to avoid bread for awhile though. Since the fill, I have to chew even smaller bites and even slower than before to avoid them getting stuck.

My hair thinning as well and my hair started at approx two feet long. Sad day when it started going down the drain. I had several inches cut off just so I wouldn't have to see my long hair disapperaing. Supposedly it's due to rapid weight loss and will start regrowing when the body adjusts itself to new healthy eating. We will see. In the meantime I try to tell myself it's a small price to pay for my new body.

Same here, had a couple of visible stitches- freaked me out but doctor said it was ok.

Hello my band buddies... I have been AWOL for a month or so now, so I'm sorry for not being there to support and encourage you all. I have been stuck in my own "poor me" downward spiral and have not been in a great headspace. I have stayed away from the site because as strange as this sounds, I have tried to pretend that I don't have a lapband. Silly huh? But I have really been struggling with the restrictions - the small bites and the chew lots. It has taken my satisfaction away from eating, and as I medicate myself with food, have found myself in a place where when I feel sad, mad, tired, or stressed, I struggle to make myself feel better. I have been eating the wrong foods but my band is keeping me at small portions, so I have not gained weight. But I haven't lost any either. I haven't had any more fills but am planning to schedule one for next week. I really need some words of encouragement to get me back on track xx

We all struggle from time to time and it's okay to fall down for a bit as long as you get right back up and move forward. We didn't gain this weight overnite and we certainly won't lose it that way either. It's a long and windy journey. You just gotta remember how far you've come already. I myself am stuck at the same weight for almost a month. I'm happy to not be gaining though and you should too. Hang in there.

I was banded August 12th and am down 42lbs. I usually have 1/2 cup EggBeaters w/ low fat shreeded cheese,or No Sugar Added instant oatmeal or Special K Protein bar for breakfast. I have 2-3 Snacks a day of either sugar free Jello, No Sugar Kozy Shack pudding, Lo Fat cheese stick, 100 Calorie Greek yogurt. lunch is usually either Hormel fat free turkey chili, Starkist tuna pouch w/ fat free mayonaise, fat free turkey or ham sliced lunch meat, garden salad w/ vinigrette, Healthy Choice canned Soup. dinner is whatever my husband cooks which may be a burger but no bun, grilled chicken breast, steak tips, baked haddock, w/ rice or noodles and a vegetable.

I also took Lisinopril and developed a hacking cough but because it was during the winter my doctor and I associated the cough with having a cold. Took 5 weeks of coughing and several cold meds to figure out it was the Lisinopril. Two days after stopping, the cough was gone.

I'm just got home today after 2 days in the hospital. I'm very uncomfortable and seem like I'm still very much inflamed. What can I do to get comfortable? And can I sleep on the side the port is on? Please help.

I slept on my back for the first week, it hurt too much to sleep on my side. Others have said they were able to sleep on their side, on their stomach etc. I would sleep however you're able to comfortably. I had a lot of painful bloating and took chewable Gas-ex which helped. Heating pad also helped but I had to put it on the lowest setting. I did have a lot of pain and it hurt to breathe. I took pain meds every 4 hours for the first few days. By the second week though, all the pain and discomfort were gone except for one spot that was stitched to my muscle. Took almost a month for the stitch to dissolve. Hang in there, it will absolutely get better.

Had my first fill today. Had 2.5 cc's. Have lost 22 pounds in 6 weeks. Probably would have been more, if, I would exercise more. However; I will take, what I can get ; ) Feeling elated! Hope all my banster buddies are doing well!!!!

Congrats on your weight loss! Thats fantastic. I havent had a fill yet (banded on Aug 12)- was scheduled for one last week but I had one incident of vomiting so my doctor opted to wait another two weeks. Scheduled now for first fill next Thu. My weight has plateaued for the past two weeks (lost 34 lbs so far) so I finally decided to start exercising. I've been doing 30 mins on the eliptical for the past few days. Nutritionist assures me that this will catapult my weight loss dramatically. Hope so! keep up the good work. Glad all is going well for you.

I definitely thought I would be down more weight. My husband thought I would be more as well. I keep telling myself that my body is adjusting and I should only be losing 1-2 lbs a week not 5 (I wish). I eat mainly Protein. I don't do well with carbs so I eat a lot of eggs, meat, cheese, and take my mvi twice a day. I am more worried about Hair loss.< /p>

I worry about hair loss as well. I'm planning on asking doctor at my next follow up if I should be taking Biotin which I understand is a Vitamin for hair/nails.

It seems we are all going through a bit of a low where no weight is coming off, or even creeping back on! I am just SOOOO frustrated with it, as I'm sure you all are too... The last three days I have just given up. I have eaten anything that I wanted. I have stayed away from the treadmill. I have not counted calories. And everyday I have told myself that I will turn it around tomorrow. But the next day comes, and my frustration takes over and I make bad decisions again. Another bandster buddy told me that it is normal because our bodies need to adjust to the sudden weight loss we had after surgery, but three weeks of staying the same?? All I can think of is that even though I'm eating healthy, maybe I'm eating too much? Aghhhh. I really don't know how to turn this around!!

A family member of mine who was banded and lost 135lbs told me that bcuz you lose so much so fast in the beginning your body will eventually start to hold onto the fat/calories etc and no longer allow itself to burn off fat in order to self preserve. She said it takes time for body to realize it will continue to be fed and doesn't need to hold onto what it's consuming.

Im bummed, I have been transitioned back to reg food this week and gained weight. I know it is to be expected since coming off liquids and mushies but I was enjoying my progress. I go for my first fill on the 11th

Don't focus on the weight gain, think of how far you've already come! Your body just keeps readjusting to the different foods/calories. It will even out eventually and you'll be back on track to more weight loss.

Getting banded tomorrow at 9:35!!! HOLY COW

GOOD LUCK!

Hi, I'm Laura and starting pre op for two weeks tnis morning. Surgery on the 9th. While I do need to loose weight I am mostly doing this to improve my diabetic control. Bmi is 36- hope to loose 10 before surgery which means I will be down to my pre stroke weight. How bloated were you after surgery from gas? I heard it is so bad clothes don't fit. Any takers on this? Exited to get going and enjoy the friendships and support on this site.

Laura,

I only had minimal bloating/gas after my band. I took a few Gas Ex chewables. It certainly was nowhere near bad enough that my clothes didn't fit.

Has anyone 'cheated' with the food? What I mean is, I had 'egg salad' today. However; suppose to start this Thursday, with eating scrambled eggs. Hope I didn't hurt anything. Also, I found myself licking potato chips for the flavoring. I must have a food addiction. 2 weeks on fluids has me going crazy thinking about food.

I confess I cheated a bit too! I was completely fed up with liquids after two weeks and since I knew I could have fish and turkey chili after my two week follow up, I had some of both 4 days early.

How's everyone doing? I'm 8 days post-op and im still having a hard time. Need to know if anyone else has felt like this. I feel really weak from not eating but then if I have something I get nausea and just feel horrible for hours afterward. I had my first follow up today and the Doc said everything looks great but I don't feel great. Is this just me?

It also took me a good week and a half to feel ok. I barely ate anything the first week and I'm still not eating much but at least I can look at food now without feeling nauseous. Doctor gave me Zofran for nausea. I was also really weak and tired the first week and a half but my energy level is up now and I can accomplish my daily functions (work, errands etc.).

Hi everyone, I'm Amy. I start my 3 day clear liquids diet today and will have surgery on Monday. It's been really helpful to read everyone's experiences so far.

Welcome Amy and GOOD LUCK with your journey to a new you!

I am day 4 post op and still not too hungry. I do force myself to sip some broth. Still have some discomfort around port area and some left shoulder pain but gas has been minimal. If you slip on your pre op diet, just get back on the wagon and you should be fine. I went to a family reunion three days before I was banded and did eat something I was not supposed to. I saw some posts where the pre op diet was not followed at all and they were still banded, but I dont advise that. Good Luck everyone

I didn't have much of a pre op diet either, had to lose 10 lbs before surgery but I ate regular food up until the day before. I had all the info and resources on healthy eating, Protein requirement etc. so I did make some changes before surgery like calorie free fluids, Meal Replacement bars etc. I'm 6 days post op and have very little gas pain (chewable Gas-Ex helped) . I also have no interest in food, I have a shake or some broth once a day and I definitely need to bump up fluids as I only drink 24 ozs a day.

Got my band 6 days ago, very out of it on pain meds for first 3 days. Barely ate anything. Still sleeping on my back, one port stitched to muscle so still sore. i eat/drink maybe twice a day even though I know I'm supposed to be getting protein/fluids in. I just have no interest in food at all. My right leg has been numb feeling (like it's asleep) for a few days. Surgeon said prbly nerve related and to monitor for swelling, pain, color change etc. which might indicate clot. Just numb though, doesn't affect my walking. Stopped pain meds yesterday and seems to be ok. Headed back to work tomorrow.

On my way to get banded and start my new life! Good luck to anyone else getting banded today.

It's just another example of uninformed ignorance.

I was originally told Gastric Bypass was my only choice because of my size- I was over 400 pounds with a BMI of 72. I also had friends that had Gastric Bypass or the Sleeve telling me how stupid I was for choosing the Lap Band. They all said I'd never lose enough weight with the band.

I found a new surgeon who supported my decision to get the Lap Band. Since getting my band almost 19 months ago, I've lost 227 pounds (and I'm still losing). I've actually lost 3-4 times more weight than my friends with the Sleeve or Bypass have lost, too. They're still shopping in plus sized clothing stores while I enjoy shopping in regular sized stores. Needless to say, they don't think the band is so "stupid" anymore.

Don't worry about things said to you in ignorance. Your future success will shut them right up

Your success is such an inspiration to me. I'm the only person in the group session I had with those going for weight loss surgery who is getting the band, (8/12/13) everyone else choosing sleeve or bypass and I started to second guess myself wondering if I am making the right choice choosing the band but reading your posts makes me feel more positive with my decision. Thanks!

Congratulations!

I know it may sound like a small thing to many but I made it through a Saturday out with my mom while on my liquid diet.

Every Saturday she and I go shopping and usually have lunch out. I have an 18 month old we take with us.

I am 5 days into my pre op diet and we went shopping today. We stopped at McDonald's for her and my son to get a bite to eat.

I got myself a diet soda which I am able to have during the diet. I love McDonald's grilled snack wraps. They sat and ate and I survived. I have to say it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Maybe I am finally getting the mind part of this down.

I hope so I am so worried about after surgery!

http://journalofachu...s.blogspot.com/

Fantastic! Go you! It's a struggle for me all the time as eating out has always been such a huge part of my weekly entertainment. popcorn at movies, fast food lunches at work, romantic dinners out with my husband, drinks and apps with friends etc. We just have to keep our eyes on the prize and it'll all be worth it. Good luck!